Mission
Sharing Christ’s love and equipping communities to grow in faith.
Vision
A thriving body of Christ within remote BC coastal First Nations communities.
January 2025 - December 2025
Doug Petersen Message From the Board
Board Chair
It is my pleasure to report that in 2025 the BC Mission Boat Society Board of Directors and staff remained steadfast in their commitment to our Mission, Vision, and Values This dedication reflects the mission’s strong confessional foundation and our shared desire to faithfully serve the Lord and the First Nations communities entrusted to us.
During the past year we were grateful to meet our mission trip goals, serving the communities of Ehattesaht, Klemtu, Kingcome, and Gold River We were also honoured to participate in the School District Potlatch in Ehattesaht and to support a women’s quilting retreat in the community These opportunities allowed us to strengthen relationships and continue sharing Christ’s love in practical ways.
At the same time, the Board worked to prepare for the future of the mission. We reviewed and updated our strategic plan, strengthened policies and procedures, and completed the move of our office back to Vancouver Island so we can be closer to the communities we serve We also continued working alongside Lutheran Church–Canada and partner ministries to support the expansion of Word and Sacrament ministry among First Nations communities.
Looking ahead to 2026, we are encouraged by new opportunities to serve. In addition to continuing work in our current communities, we have received invitations to bring mission teams to MMFN Gold River, Ahousaht, and Bella Bella, with exploratory visits planned for Bella Coola and Anahim Lake We pray that God will guide these efforts and open the doors for meaningful ministry
Our mission depends on faithful people. We are grateful for our dedicated staff Sonja Bland (Mission Coordinator), Marie Gravel (Mission Administrator), and Nicolas Goerz (summer vicarage student) as well as Julie Klassen, who continues to support the mission as a consultant God willing, we look forward to filling the Mission Leader role in 2026 to provide pastoral leadership and vision for the work ahead
We are thankful that the mission remains financially stable, and we extend heartfelt thanks to our donors and sponsors whose generosity sustains this ministry. As we continue to grow and fill key staff positions, ongoing support will remain essential.
The mission could not exist without our dedicated group of volunteer directors I am pleased to welcome new incoming board members Joyce Magnus and Dr Benjamin Drung Their gifts and experience will be a blessing to the mission. At the same time, we thank our past board members Lenora Simpson and Cliff Friesen for their faithful service.
None of this work would be possible without the grace of our Lord, the support of our volunteers, donors, congregations, and ministry partners, Lutheran Church–Canada and the teams who faithfully serve in these communities Thank you for walking with us in this mission May God richly bless our work together in the year ahead.
In Christ, Doug
Petersen Board Chair
Where We Serve
Ehattesaht
Impact Report
Sonja Bland
Mission
Coordinator
By God’s grace, through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven and we are welcomed into His kingdom Together, we enter God’s presence to worship and bless His holy Name,
Walking Alongside Our Communities giving thanks for His steadfast love and faithfulness. He calls us to share the Good News of that steadfast love with others and to reflect the love of Jesus in the way we live.
Team formation was a challenge in 2025; however, despite these challenges, we were able to visit all our communities, beginning at spring break and continuing through the summer Ehattesaht was visited in March for spring break, this trip was particularly blessed with invitations to attend many cultural events The community welcomed us by sharing meals, teaching us traditional dances, and inviting us to participate in community events. The Kid’s Club was the most attended of the year! More than 20 children We were invited to attend the school district Potlatch held in Ehattesaht in May It was a blessing to serve them in the kitchen and experience the culture.
We were blessed further by the arrival of our summer student Nicolas and his family They travelled to all the communities together and served with such grace.
We visited the communities of Kyuquot, Klemtu and Kingcome. All teams enjoyed easy travel, warm welcomes and the common feeling of sadness of having to leave so soon In the fall, we served community members at a funeral by assisting in the kitchen and serving
meals and we held a women’s quilting retreat in Ehattesaht. In November we handed out a total of 80 Advent Kits to all the communities They were graciously filled with beautiful items, including some home-made wooden ornaments and toys, Advent devotions from Lutheran Layman’s league of Canada and treats. Our summer curriculum crafts, quilt retreat supplies and Advent kits were lovingly put together by volunteers! We give thanks to those who give their time, talents and resources to bless our communities.
“Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His Name! For the LORD is good; His steadfast love endures forever, and His faithfulness to all generations”
Psalm100:4-5
Julie Klassen
Mission Consultant
This year, the work of the B C Mission Boat Society was sustained by the faithful service of volunteers, meaningful times of gathering, and continued strengthening of the mission’s administrative foundations We
Serving Together in Faithful Parternship give thanks to God for the many people who support this ministry and make it possible to share Christ’s love with remote coastal communities.
Impact Report
Volunteers remained at the heart of the mission. Teams from Quesnel, Prince George, and Vancouver Island supported ministry in Ehattesaht and began renewing connections with the communities of Bella Coola, Anahim Lake, and Bella Bella. We are grateful for the leadership and hands-on involvement of board members and volunteers alike, whose commitment continues to shape and strengthen the mission
In February, a women’s retreat was held at Camp Homewood on Quadra Island Despite challenging coastal weather, 25 women attended with the support of 35 volunteers Through the leadership of speaker and music leader Jennifer Kerr, participants were encouraged with the reminder that even in seasons of grief, joy in Christ remains possible
We also give thanks for our partnership with St Paul Lutheran Church in Chilliwack, which enabled the distribution of 80 Advent kits to children and families in the communities visited last summer Behind the scenes, important work supported the mission’s sustainability A covered trailer was purchased to improve storage and organization for summer ministry, and technical systems were strengthened In October, Marie-Josée Gravel joined BCMBS as Mission Administrator, contributing to a more stable and effective office environment. The board also gathered in person for prayer, fellowship, and focused work on bylaws and policies
We look ahead with gratitude for God’s provision and confidence that, through the people He continues to call and equip, this mission will carry on in faithful service.
Marie-Josée Gravel
Mission Administrator
I began serving as Mission Administrator in October and have spent these first months learning the rhythms of BCMBS while building relationships with the people who make this mission possible As I settled into the
Strengthening the Foundations of the Mission role, my work expanded from daily administration to include special events, financial processes, and regular communication with churches, donors, and volunteers.
A particular joy of this season has been connecting with donors and supporters through phone calls, emails, and mailed correspondence, including Christmas and thank-you cards. These interactions have been encouraging and affirming, and they reflect the shared commitment so many have to the work of BCMBS
I was also grateful for the opportunity to work alongside volunteers during the Advent Appeal and to witness their generosity and dedication firsthand
“We give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever ”
Behind the scenes, efforts have focused on strengthening organization and communication systems to support the mission well. This has included improving donor record-keeping, ensuring timely expressions of thanks, and refining workflows that allow the ministry to function smoothly and responsibly The Policies and Procedures Manual continues to guide this work and is being updated to support clarity and consistency
I am thankful for the support and mentorship I received during this transition and am grateful to now contribute more fully to the ongoing work of BCMBS I look forward to the year ahead as we continue, together, to serve, connect, and support the mission.
Mission Memories
“Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 19:14
Praise God For All Our Volunteers
You Make All Our Missions Possible
And He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
Luke 10:2
Board & Staff
Chair
Doug Petersen
Vice-Chair
Kaitlyn Roller
Director of Finance
Vacant
Secretary
Marion Timm
Director of Spiritual Care
Reverend Wayne Lunderby
General Directors
Kathleen Hone
David Friesen
Elizabeth Seip
Reverend Tim Schneider
Mission Administrator
Marie-Josée Gravel
Mission Co-Ordinator
Sonja Bland
Mission Consultant
Julie Klassen
Summer Student
(June to August)
Nicolas Goerz